Minor parties are on track for a strong election night as early results indicate an increase in support compared to the 2020 election.
Each minor party has seen increases from the last election, with New Zealand First gaining the most.
The Green Party is up 2.8%, ACT is up 1.3%, New Zealand First is up 3.3% and Te Pāti Māori is up 1.5% on their 2020 election results.
Current results show that the minor parties could potentially hold 38 seats, a greater proportion of seats than 2020.
Last election, the Greens, ACT, New Zealand First and Te Pāti Māori held a combined 22 seats between them.
Several candidates for minor parties have celebrated the increase in support.
The Greens Auckland Central candidate Chlöe Swarbrick praised two fellow Green candidates who are both ahead in their respective electorates.
"That's what grassroots community building and change looks like."
ACT List MP Karen Chhour said that the party was feeling positive tonight as the votes roll in and that "it's really exciting thinking about what we can achieve in the next three years".
NZ First leader Winston Peters said that there were those who laughed at the notion of the party's comeback.
"They're not laughing now are they?"
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said that they had showed their value.
"I think tangata whenua have had enough of being the 1-plus, the added value. We want to be able to lead ourselves and grow an Aotearoa Hou. That's the message we put out."
The Electoral Commission is releasing the results for the 2023 general election as they are counted.
These results comprise 43% of votes counted.
Further results will be released throughout the night.
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